Back at it!

It's been far too long of a lull....I was in Quebec for five weeks with very sketchy internet connection. Then busy creating new pieces and re-photographing all the items in my Etsy shop lechiennoirjewelry.etsy.com.

Now back in the city and have FINALLY gotten around to the long-promised jewelry studio tidy. Pictures to prove it will follow shortly....

In the meantime, here are a few of the pieces I made this summer. Hope you like them!

More fold forming

I think fold forming has to be one of the most intriguing activities in jewelry making. It's kind of hard to picture how your piece of metal will turn out after you've folded it, bent it, hammered it a lot, annealed it over and over, then opened it up and played with it a bit more. I'm taking a course at the moment and fold forming was what we did the first class. Lots of fun - and surprises!

Here's a pair of earring I made in copper, with several folds, lots of hammering and a verdigris patina at the end:

Very rustic and sculptural....more to come!

My new baby....

I've been wanting to get a large stump for my studio for ages now. Great for hammering on, putting my big vice on, etc. The problem was, in the city, it's not easy to come by them. Well, I just drove down to the family farm in Quebec for the weekend and have come back with the greatest cedar log ever, which is now sitting in my studio. It's just gorgeous and I'm a happy girl!!!

It's so nice to have a piece of the farm here in Toronto...I'm feeling very lucky!

Today is the first anniversary of my shop, Le Chien Noir Jewelry, on Etsy!!! I'm celebrating by offering 15% off everything in my shop through this Friday, June 1. Enjoy!

Dog stone ring

This is one of the most amazing stones I've come across. It's a manganese agate with a naturally occurring image of a dog. Given my love of dogs, not to mention the name of my shop, I had to have it. Here it is, before I set it, and in its new setting:

I'm quite smitten! Got the agate from CabAddicted, another supplier I love.

The forgotten chalcedony

Here's the ring I forgot to include, in the past week's ring-making frenzy. It's a gorgeous rose-cut aqua chalcedony, 10mm.

Just love this stone! It's from one of my top stone suppliers, Fabby Dabby Stones, in Norway. Thanks again, John!

On a ring roll

OK, I admit it: rings are my thing. They're my favorite thing to make. I absolutely love the process of choosing the perfect, inspiring stone, deciding what to do with it, then putting it all together. Here are a few rings I've made this week:

Top to bottom, they are blood jasper, aventurine, apatite and mystic topaz. All in sterling. Enjoy!

Spring inspiration

Just loving the fresh green that's bursting out everywhere, not to mention the gorgeous flowering trees (cue: teen eyerolls)! Here are a couple of pieces I've made with spring and summer on the brain - a ring from beautiful English sea glass and some fresh peridot drop earrings:

Have also been making an assortment of sterling silver bands with wedding season in full swing. All great inspiration! Enjoy!